Bishop Carter participates in Global Mediation and interprets this for the Florida Conference

Dear Sisters and Brothers of the Florida Conference,

Grace and Peace to you, in the name and spirit of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, in these first days of a new year.

I write to commend to you the fruit of a mediation process undertaken by sixteen United Methodists, entitled “A Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace through Separation.” The eight-page document, linked here, represents work done by a group of United Methodists from across the world who represent many (not all) of the important streams of our church. This work was done in collaboration with Mr. Kenneth Feinberg, noted mediator known for his work with the September 11 Victim’s Compensation Fund, the Virginia Tech and Boston Marathon victims, and the BP Deepwater Horizon Disaster. Mr. Feinberg, who is not a United Methodist, offered his professional guidance to us pro bono.

The Protocol is offered in service to the delegates who will gather four short months from now in Minneapolis for the 2020 General Conference. It is not perfect--no mediation is--but it gives a great deal to each of these different streams, more than I could have imagined at the beginning. All of this has been done—and the word I hear from many is that it is something of a miracle—without harming these persons. I attribute this to the work of the Holy Spirit.

The protocol was unanimously affirmed and signed by the sixteen participants.

Key features of the mediation protocol and proposed legislation that will follow are:

• The ongoing existence of The United Methodist Church

• A gracious way of departure for a traditionalist conservative Methodist Church, with a financial settlement.

• The creation of four regional conferences—Africa, U.S., Europe, Philippines—each with its own ability to adapt the Book of Discipline.

• The removal of restrictive language related to LGBTQ identity and practice in the U.S. post-separation United Methodist Church immediately following the May General Conference.

• Holding in abeyance any administrative or judicial processes regarding restrictions in the Book of Discipline related to LGBTQ persons, as of January 1, 2020.

• Creation of a fund to strengthen the Black Church and ministries with and among marginalized persons.

• No annual conference or local church is required to vote on departure from the United Methodist Church.

• No one is asked to leave or separate from the church.

• Annual Conferences and local churches may vote to depart from The United Methodist Church with their property in order to participate in another Methodist expression.

• Wespath will offer a continuity of service across the various Methodist expressions.

Note: This brief summary is not intended to be a substitute for the actual reading of the protocol. It is simply to encourage United Methodists to develop an understanding of the contents of the protocol. I encourage you to view the following documents:

• A Press Release

• The Signed Protocol 

• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Much of the effect of this protocol will be how we receive it and how we turn toward each other. It is not about winners or losers, but about how God's promise of grace and reconciliation relates to our structures, convictions, and hopes. It is significant, and at the same time, it is one step in a journey.

For me, this mediation work is in the fulfillment of my consecration vows as a bishop, to seek the unity of the church. And for me, it is in continuity with the work of the Commission on a Way Forward.

• No one has to vote to leave the church.

• No one is being asked to leave the church.

• And The United Methodist Church, under the cross and flame, will continue to be in ministry across the world.

We were told in the mediation process that if we did not write the narrative, it would be written for us. A culture of trials related to LGBTQ persons in the church becomes the dominant narrative. By holding these administrative and judicial processes in abeyance until the resolution of these matters, we are able to devote our energies to working and walking together to finding reconciliation and grace through structural separation.

I give thanks for those who participated in the mediation and particularly to Mr. Kenneth Feinberg, who led us in this process. I give thanks for all of the people of the Florida Conference, and believe this mediation does no harm to anyone of them. I also place great trust in our delegation to the 2020 General Conference. They are authorized to help our church to move forward into a new season of mission and flourishing.

In the interim, we have much work to do in service to our Lord, in the strengthening of our local churches and ministries. We have an important question to answer: “What kind of annual conference will we be?” And we are in connection with each other, for a larger purpose: “to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”

This will continue to be my focus, and I ask you to join me.

The Peace of the Lord,
+Ken Carter
Bishop, Florida Conference, The United Methodist Church

A Message from Kim & Melanie Lee, District Lay Leaders

A New Year to Commit to God’s Word and Purpose

Every new year, Kim and I spend time assessing the past year and planning how to make the new one better and more purposeful.  We list our accomplishments as a family: tasks, activities, dreams we have fulfilled during the past 12 months.  Many of them had been on a to-do list for us, such as rescreening the pool area, but some, like climbing Machu Pichu, had been on our dream list.

This year, we are going to strive to simplify our lives by getting rid of clutter, consuming less (in food and products), and trimming activities, obligations, and relationships that don’t align with our personal missions.  As a couple, we are planning to spend less time in front of a screen and more time in nature. (I’m sure many of you share these resolutions!) We each have our own goals for the year too.  Always, at the top of the list we both want to pray more, read our Bibles more, and listen for God’s whisperings in our ear.

This year, in order to structure my Bible reading, I plan to revisit a goal I fulfilled in 2014.  Two years before, in 2012, an amazing Methodist minister, biblical scholar, and spiritual leader, Charles Stopford, passed away.  I spent many hours in classes Charles led and in discussions with him.  He helped me explore and challenge my faith in ways that helped me grow into the person I am today.  His wisdom still leads me in my faith journey.  In 2009, Charles took our congregation on a daily journey through the New Testament, including his own interpretations of the passages.  In 2014, I made a commitment to post his daily devotions on a blog so that more people could share in Charles’ wise and wonderful writings on scripture.  This year, I plan to reread the posts and spend time in prayer, asking God to lead me.  I plan to say daily, “Here I am, Lord.”

Join me if you will! https://tinyurl.com/Year-through-New-Testament

Click HERE to read more about Charles Stopford.

Loving the Laity,

Melanie & Kim Lee
melaniebushlee@gmail.com   

Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) Training
January 30 6:30pm - Peace UMC, Orlando

The Annual East Central District Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) Training Event will provide you with the effective tools needed in your responsibilities. Dr. Bob Bushong our District Superintendent will facilitate. 

Cokesbury offers guidelines for leading your congregation. Click HERE to see the various committee specific resources.

Pastors, SPRC Chairs and Committee members, Lay Leaders, and Lay Members to Annual Conference are encouraged to attend. 

Click HERE to register. 

Statistics due February 7, 2020

Please visit the Year-End Statistics Instructions website as you begin preparations for reporting your church's end of year statistics. You will find everything you need for reporting. Please read all instructions, before you begin!

Instructions Guides

- Church Guide for EOY and EZRA Reporting (Login Instructions & Passwords)
- Church Table Directions (help text)
- New Church Development and Year End Statistical Reporting

Step by Step Overview of the Year-End Reporting Process

The information you share gives the GCFA and the conference an opportunity to see how the churches have prospered in the last year.

Online reporting has begun and is due by February 7, 2020. Thank you for your help in telling our churches' stories through statistics.

Apportionments and End of Year Payments

Apportionment payments for 2019 must be received in the lockbox at Regions Bank or paid on line by Friday, January 10, 2020. This is not a postmarked by date, but is the day by which monies must be received in the Conference or our bank lockbox to be included in 2019 apportionments receipts. Any payments received after that date will be applied to 2020 apportionments. Any payments received between January 1 and January 10 must be clearly marked as to which year they are to be applied.

All apportionment payments should be accompanied by a completed Remittance Report.  Click HERE for a Remittance Report. Click HERE to pay online.

Any amounts due for Ministry Protection and Health and Benefits at the end of the year will continue to show as outstanding on your statement in 2020. To ensure proper processing of these payments and avoid errors, payments should contain the following information on the check, check stub or statement:

• Church Name
• GCFA Number
• Invoice Number (include all letters and any 0's)
• Allocation amounts for each invoice

When mailing payments to Regions take note of the billing address for each of these types of payments. The last 4 numbers after the zip code are different for each and very important to include to ensure your payment is processed properly.

To be considered a 100% connectional church in the Florida Annual Conference Journal, 100% of 2019 apportionments must be received by January 10, 2020, and all outstanding Ministry Protection and Health and Benefits obligations must have been received by December 31, 2019.

Lay Servant Ministries
March 20 & 21 - Community UMC, Casselberry

Sign up now and plan to attend the Spring 2020 LSM Weekend!!

Select one of the six courses offered. All classes require a total of 10 hours attendance. Friday 5:00pm-8:30pm and Saturday 8:00am - 4:00pm. The cost is $45 which covers material and food. Basic LSM is a pre-requisite to the Advanced Courses. Once the Basic and Advanced Courses are completed, you will be a Certified Lay Servant. NOTE: Lay Servant certification expires after three years. 

Basic LSM (English) with Rev. Jeanine Clontz, Senior Pastor, Flagler Beach UMC
Basic LSM (Spanish) with Wilkins Rodriguez & Israel Suarez, Certified Lay Servants

Advanced Courses
Discover Your Servant Profile (English) ♦ This spiritual Gifts, Personal Style and Ministry Passion Assessment course is designed to get the right people, in the right places, for the right reasons, at the right time in our local churches to help maximize their kingdom-building and serving potential. Led by Jim Boesch, Co-Director of ECD Lay Servant Ministries
Shaping the Prayers of the People: The Art of Intercession (English) ♦ At once inspirational and practical, this book empowers and equips laypeople and clergy alike to offer heartfelt, informed, and appropriate prayers on behalf of the people of God. As Samuel Wells and Abigail Kocher say, "Interceding in public worship is a duty. This book is intended to make it a joy." Led by Rev. Kate Ling
Desubriendo y Desplegando Nuestros Dones Espirituales (Spanish) ♦ Para utilizar personalmente o en grupos pequenos encuentra el lugar que te corresponde dentro del cuerpo de Cristo. Cuando conozcas y uses tus dones espirtuales, podras participar en el ministerio que Dios creo para ti personalmente. Sera un ministerio lleno de fruto y satisfaccion. Led by Revs. Carmen & Leo Rodgriguez
Conflict Resolution First-Responders (English) ♦ The church needs first responders - people who can help snuff out small flames of conflict before they have a chance to cause harm. This class will equip Lay Servants to intervene and help others through the conflict. Completion of the previous advanced class, Peace-making: Resolving Everyday conflict is helpful but not required. Led by Lennie Burke & Mike Mailman, Certified Lay Servants.

Click HERE for the brochure to print and mail in. Click HERE to register and pay online.

Conference Communicator Position

The Florida Annual Conference is seeking a talented communications professional to lead the development and implementation of effective communication strategies that will raise the visibility of the annual conference in order to further its mission.

The selected candidate will be a creative thinker who understands the needs of the organization and can collaboratively design solutions to achieve objectives. Successful applicants must also demonstrate an ability to develop, manage and carry out multiple communication strategies across various departments concurrently.  

Application deadline is January 10, 2020. Click HERE for details.

SAVE the DATE!

Day on Campus ♦ Florida United Methodist Children's Home ♦ March 28, 2020
Spring Clergy Meeting  ♦ Asbury UMC ♦ April 16, 2020
Fall Clergy Meeting ♦ Asbury UMC ♦ August 13, 2020

Share your gifts and talents by serving on a Florida Conference team

As we approach the upcoming start of the Quadrennium, we have various Conference ministry teams, agencies and task forces that could use passionate, committed individuals who have a desire to engage in ministry at the Conference level. We are seeking those volunteers to share their spiritual gifts and skills.

If you have a calling to serve, a spiritual gift, or an area of expertise which you are open to sharing in this way, your gifts and graces are needed. Please let us know by clicking HERE and completing the appropriate Application to Serve link below (by District). Additional information can also be found at this link.

The Conference Committee on Nominations and Leadership will review all Applications to Serve, within the coming months, and work through the discernment process as outlined in the Florida Annual Conference Standing Rules Paragraph 302. All who complete and application to serve will be notified of the outcome.

Your Application to Serve is needed not later than 1/10/2020.
Should you have any questions, don’t hesitate to email conmin@flumc.org .
 
Don’t forget, if you are being led to apply to be the Florida Conference Lay Leader, Click HERE for more information!  Deadline for the Conference Lay Leader application is 1/15/2020.

Licensing School 2020
May 11 - 22, 2020

Licensing School 2020 will be held at Florida Southern College May 11 through May 22, 2020. Click HERE for the link with the requirements for licensing school, the tentative schedule and the revised fillable application. 

Please note the cost has changed due to the fact that we have been losing money on this for some time now. It will be $900 per person and $700 for those who are Certified Candidate in the Florida Conference. There is no additional paperwork needed for the $200 reduction in costs. Compared to other schools we are charging significantly less.